27 Years

At the age of thirty-five, Jeannie Middleton received a gift, a lovely baby girl named Madelene, who came into Jeannie's life bringing her and her family immeasurable joy. But that joy was shattered by the impact of Madelene's drug addiction and abuse, both before her birth and as she grew to adulthood. This short story follows that wonderful yet tragic part of Jeannie's life, watching her daughter grow and struggle with internal pain and addiction, her efforts to save her, and her crushed hopes.

Jeannie hopes reading her story will help increase other parents' awareness of drug abuse, understanding the signs of addiction, and the importance of seeking education on this critical part of parenting.